Barista

ASN Department

The L5 Award in Barista Skills will develop the knowledge, understanding and technical skills required for the role of a barista. From Iced brown sugar oat milk lattes to After Eight hot chocolates, you will learn how to operate industry-standard coffee machines in a fast-paced work-type environment.

This qualification covers areas such as the different types of coffees and other beverages typically served by a barista, customer service and investigating where coffee comes from. Setting up, operating, cleaning and closing down specialist equipment is also covered. Learners will have the opportunity to apply their knowledge and skills by preparing and serving different hot and cold beverages.

Assessment

Assessment is completed throughout the course via practical skills and you must be able to demonstrate a knowledge of how to make a variety of hot and cold drinks.

You must also complete a project on coffee production.

There is no SQA exam for this subject.

Ideal Candidate

Barista skills are ideal for learners who thrive in a busy, practical based, environment or those who enjoy working as part of a team. Communication skills are helpful as we often spend time serving paying customers.

What you will learn

By the end of the course you will be able to make a number of coffee based drinks, hot chocolates, teas, frappes and smoothies. Our equipment is industry standard and as well as using our coffee machine, you will be trained in setting up and cleaning down.

You will spend time learning how to create fun latte art to entice customers and do market research into what syrups and different types of milk will sell best to maximise your profit!

Future Pathways

This course is ideal for adding to your CV as its skills transfer so easily to jobs working in the hospitality industry however there are many skills you will learn that will help you in lots of future professions.

As well as work opportunities there are other level 5 & 6 hospitality college courses for learners who wish to continue this line of study after leaving school.